UT-Austin admissions head steps down ahead of investigation

AUSTIN – The University of Texas at Austin’s admissions director told school officials she would step down to take a job in Michigan, just days ahead of an announcement the flagship university would undertake a full-scale review into its admissions practices.

“It has been a fulfilling challenge to select for the University of Texas at Austin some of the most dynamic classes in our history,” UT-Austin vice provost and director of admissions Kedra Ishop told the Daily Texan. “Seeking excellence has been our challenge both in our recruitment practices and admissions practices.”

Ishop’s resignation came four days before UT-Austin announced it would undertake an official investigation into possible legislative influence over campus admissions. Allegations of undue influence, including the admission of family and friends of legislators otherwise not qualified, were heavily publicized by UT System Regent Wallace Hall. A House committee is drafting articles of impeachment for Hall based on his massive records requests and alleged bullying of university officials in his quest to unveil wrongdoing at the flagship.

UT-Austin Director of Media Outreach J.B. Bird said Ishop’s skill-set – especially her involvement shaping the university’s holistic admissions process – is uniquely suited to the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, where she will take up the post of associate vice president of enrollment management.

“She received a promotion. She’s got a larger portfolio, broader duties,” said Bird. “Kedra Ishop’s decision to leave did not have anything to do with outside investigations or controversies. The University of Michigan has been trying to recruit her for a long time, and she made the decision to accept their offer of a promotion as a matter of career advancement.”

Bird confirmed Ishop notified university officials she would be resigning on June 16, a few days before the school announced its admissions investigation. Her last day is July 15, according to an email detailing the departure sent to staff from UT-Austin Provost Gregory Fenves.